What you can expect as a client
You can expect our prompt attention to your legal problems, no matter how big or small. Telephone calls and emails are returned the same day. We keep clients informed in real-time and update them to avoid any surprises. We are a law firm that thinks like a business with real-world solutions. We find that many of our clients seek our guidance on all business issues, and we value that relationship. Our goal is to provide you with service not for a transaction but for life.
Our philosophy
With a law practice based in South Florida, we emphasize a relaxed style, we dress casually (except where a business meeting warrants otherwise) and we are available to our clients at all times (including providing you with our mobile phone numbers). We love what we do, how we do it and we look forward to working with you.
Press
Corporate
BUSINESS LAW NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS
General Corporate Law
- Represented as outside general counsel, one of the largest broadband telecom operators in the nation of Azerbaijan.
- Represented as outside general counsel, an international manufacturer, and distributor of commercial kitchen appliances with operations throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
- Represented as outside general counsel, a United States telecommunications company with wireless broadband operations in Costa Rica and Peru.
- Represented as outside general counsel, a NASDAQ-listed, online, interactive wagering company.
- Represented as outside general counsel, an online web search engine optimization company.
- Represented as outside general counsel, a restaurant chain.
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Represented Azqtel, a wireless telecom operator, based in the nation of Azerbaijan, as international corporate counsel in the sale of the company.
- Represented a major casino operator in the acquisition of a competing casino’s hotel and casino operations.
- Represented a privately held VoIP operator in a multi-million dollar merger with a publicly traded technology company.
- Represented a United States commercial kitchen appliance distributor in a multi-million dollar acquisition of the international operations of a major competitor.
- Represented a Florida CLEC-licensed telecom carrier in the acquisition of the IPTV assets of a Latin American telecommunications company.
- Represented the Qvale Auto Group in the acquisition of Champion Audi (at the time, the largest Audi dealer in the United States).
- Represented The Legacy Companies in the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of Omega Products, one of the largest juicer brands in the world.
- Represented The Legacy Companies in acquiring all of the assets of Excalibur, the largest food dehydrator manufacturer in the world.
- Represented The Legacy Companies in the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of Chefs Choice, an international manufacturer of kitchen products.
- Represented The Legacy Companies in the acquisition of the assets of The Zeroll Corp, a manufacturer of ice cream scoopers whose design is in the MOMA permanent collection.
Shareholders, Directors, and Member Interests
- Represented companies and individuals in hundreds of shareholder agreements, membership operating agreements, and option agreements.
Private Offerings
- Represented a purchaser of discounted accounts receivable in the placement of $10 million in private equity.
- Represented a real estate developer in the placement of $8 million in private equity for the development of a 56-unit, multi-building development.
- Represented a real estate developer in the placement of $5 million in private equity, $4 million in private debt, and a commercial loan in the amount of $7 million for the acquisition of vacant land.
- Represented an interactive wagering company in the placement of $4 million in private equity.
- Represented a maritime security company in the placement of $1.5 million in private equity.
International Corporate
- Represented a United States telecommunications company in negotiating with investors, suppliers, and local government on the development of a wireless network in Costa Rica, resulting in Costa Rica’s first nationwide wireless broadband network.
- Represented Azqtel, a wireless telecom operator, based in the nation of Azerbaijan, as international corporate counsel in the sale of the company.
- Represented a United States commercial equipment design and distribution company in a joint venture with a Chinese equipment manufacturing company.
- Represented a shoe and apparel manufacturer based in Spain in establishing operations, sales, and distribution in Miami for the United States and Latin America.
- Represented a glass mosaic tile manufacturer based in Spain in establishing operations, sales, and distribution in Miami for the United States and Latin America.
- Represented a commercial appliance distributor based in the United States in purchasing the international operations of a major competitor.
- Represented a furniture designer and manufacturer based in Latin America in establishing operations, sales, and distribution in Miami for distribution in North America.
- Represented a lighting manufacturer based in Mexico in establishing a distribution hub in the United States.
- Represented a Florida CLEC-licensed telecom carrier in a $5 million acquisition of the IPTV assets of a Latin American telecommunications company.
- Represented the national telecom company in Azerbaijan in negotiating a $15 Million wireless equipment purchase, installation, and service agreement with ZTE (China).
- Represented a Florida-based clothing designer and manufacturing company in franchising its retail stores in Saudi Arabia.
- Represented an Ecuadorian-based furniture designer and manufacturing company in franchising its retail stores in Egypt.
- Represented a Florida-based clothing designer and manufacturer in its distribution agreements throughout the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Hospitality
- Represented a major Caribbean hotel operator in negotiating its agreements with Orbitz, Priceline, and other online travel and tour companies.
- Represented a tour operator based in Spain in establishing United States operations, including state licensing, Dept. of Transportation approvals, and negotiating carriage with major airlines.
E-commerce and Online Businesses
- Represented an online travel content company in negotiating online content service and web design agreements with Fox Interactive Media
- Represented one of Brazil’s largest internet search companies in negotiations with Overture (now Yahoo Search Marketing).
- Represented an online interactive wagering company in online content licensing agreements with horseracing tracks worldwide.
- Represented a major hotel operator with hotels throughout the Caribbean and Spain in negotiating its agreements with Orbitz, Priceline, and other online travel and tour companies.
- Represented one of the largest online virtual tour companies in negotiating agreements with major online travel companies (including Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz).
Commercial Finance
- Represented a commercial kitchen equipment distributor in negotiating and closing a $90 Million Credit Facility with a series of banks, including both asset lending and acquisition finance.
- Represented a Miami real estate developer in negotiating a $50 million construction loan with a national bank.
- Represented a Spanish bank in a $12 million construction loan for a major real estate project in Miami.
- Represented a Spanish bank in a series of multi-million dollar loans to a large theme park operator.
- Represented a real estate developer in negotiating a $7 million bridge loan for the acquisition of vacant land.
- Represented a commercial kitchen equipment distributor in negotiating and closing a $9 Million Credit Facility with Regions Bank.
- Represented a commercial kitchen equipment distributor in negotiating and closing a $12 Million Credit Facility with PNC Bank consisting of a $6 million domestic line of credit and a $6Million is EXIM (Export-Import Bank) line of credit.
- Represented an international plastic resins distribution company in negotiating and closing a $20 Million Credit Facility consisting of a $5Million domestic line of credit and $15Million EXIM (Export-Import Bank) line of credit.
Licensing
- Represented a home automation company in negotiating an intellectual property licensing agreement with THX.
- Represented a cable television network in negotiating broadcast and content licensing agreements with major horseracing tracks worldwide.
- Represented one of the largest online virtual tour companies in negotiating content licensing agreements with Starwood Hotels and Resorts (includes W Hotels, St. Regis, Westin, and other major hotels in the Starwood Group)
Trademark
- Represented a major Chinese commercial kitchen equipment designer and manufacturer in registering three United States trademarks for three product lines.
- Represented a United States distributor of commercial equipment in a trademark dispute and its successful resolution resulting in a favorable settlement and the infringing party sending an apology letter to all major customers of our client.
- Represented a United States equipment distributor in an acquisition of a commercial equipment manufacturer’s trademarks, domain names, and goodwill.
Novela Law has assisted both domestic and international companies in the handling of such matters as letters of intent, asset and stock purchases, merger agreements, confidentiality, exclusivity and standstill agreements, due diligence investigations, and anti-takeover strategies. The firm has extensive experience in merger and acquisition transactions, including auto dealerships, manufacturers both domestic and international, wireless broadband operators, med spas, equipment distributors, and technology products and services. The firm has expertise in international acquisitions and divestitures with particular experience in Latin America, the Middle East, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Novela Law has substantial experience representing growing companies needing additional capital from private placements, venture capital rounds of investment, or inside investors. It regularly provides counsel in private placement transactions representing both domestic and foreign issuers in the manner of the issuance. In those capacities, the firm is experienced in preparing, reviewing, and revising private placement memorandums and providing legal advice on Regulation D and compliance with Blue Sky laws for domestic and foreign companies and individuals, as well as preparing for options and warrants, convertible securities terms, registration rights, piggyback, tag-along and drag-along rights and stock repurchase agreements. The firm has particular experience in private offerings in the areas of real estate development and motion picture film finance.
Novela Law has represented clients in a variety of international transactions, joint ventures, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, debt financing, and restructurings. In addition, the firm has handled numerous transactions throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Novela Law provides counsel on various offshore entities for the international structuring of our client’s businesses by selecting the most suitable structures from a choice of international, tax-haven domiciles, including but not limited to the following: British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Costa Rica, Luxemburg, and Panama. Novela Law has the capability, through our network of law firms, to customize our services to include any particular jurisdiction that might serve our client’s particular needs.
Novela Law represents one of the largest hotel operators in the Caribbean and Central America. The firm also represents tour operators, hotel management companies, and interactive hotel and travel websites with an emphasis on the Caribbean and Latin America.
Novela Law routinely assists clients in securing bank financing for everyone, from start-ups to real estate developers, manufacturers, and other businesses. The firm provides counsel in the areas of loan agreements, security agreements, mortgages covering real estate, equipment and inventory, mezzanine loans, acquisition finance, stock pledges, and debt versus equity issues. The firm also represents several lenders in their commercial and residential real estate loans, construction loans, bridge loans, and other forms of finance.
Novela Law represents several internet businesses including software developers, web search companies, web search optimization companies and entertainment and media companies. The firm also has experience representing interactive wagering companies and web-site developers and hosting companies.
Novela Law has prepared licensing agreements for software developers and designers, manufacturers, entertainment content companies, film production companies, artists and designers, and other intellectual property owners.
Novela Law represents clients in all manner of trademarks, state and federal, including searching and advising on the availability of trademarks and trade names; devising creative solutions for clearing marks; advising on when to obtain rights to marks owned by others, registering trademarks, policing trademarks, and preparing licensing agreements and security interest in trademarks or other intellectual property. Novela Law works closely with clients and third party search firms in to identify potential infringers and recommend appropriate enforcement action
Significant Art
Daniel Novela advises clients across the life cycle of significant artworks—from acquisition and due diligence to private sales, auction consignments, art-backed loans, and monetization strategies that keep works in a collection while generating cash flow. He brings a rare dual vantage point: a 25+-year transactional practice and founder-level experience building Alevon, a members-only marketplace for renting museum-quality art valued at $100,000 and up. That combination lets clients navigate legal, commercial, and logistical decisions with real-world precision.
How We Help
• Purchases & Private Sales. Authenticity and provenance diligence, title risk review, condition reporting, clear warranties and escrow, export and cultural-property considerations, and efficient closings.
• Auctions & Consignments. Reserves, guarantees, irrevocable bids, withdrawal rights, and the economics that drive net proceeds—seller’s commission, marketing, insurance, and success fees—aligned to your objectives.
• Art-Secured Lending. Borrower and lender representation on UCC Article 9 facilities secured by individual works or portfolios, including valuation methodology, perfection and priority (UCC-1), advance rates, covenants, and release mechanics.
• Monetization Without Sale. Placement and rental programs that produce yield while preserving ownership—contracts addressing handling standards, insurance, indemnities, delivery/installation, and condition reporting.
• Institutional & Business Placements. Loan-for-exhibition and display agreements for developers, hospitality, financial firms, and museums, with attention to security protocols, public access, and reputational risk.
Why Novela Law
• Deal-maker’s perspective. Corporate, finance, and art experience in one place—pragmatic documents that reduce frictional costs and protect value.
• Both sides of the table. We represent collectors and lenders, so we anticipate closing pressure points and price them into the paper.
• Execution detail. Terms that reflect real-world logistics: packing and transit, site readiness, scheduling, insurance, and claims handling.
Typical Clients: collectors and families, family offices, galleries and advisors, developers and hospitality groups, specialty lenders, and institutions seeking business-minded art counsel.
“Because art changes the world.”— Daniel Novela
Aircraft
We help owners, family offices, and operators buy, sell, lease, finance, and register private aircraft, coordinating legal, title, and regulatory details in the U.S. and in leading offshore registries. For many U.S. owners, international registration is a strategic tool: it can enhance privacy, streamline cross-border operations, and, depending on usage patterns and structuring, may defer or reduce certain import duties while maintaining compliance for U.S. use.
How we help:
• Transactions: letters of intent and purchase agreements, pre-buy inspections and delivery conditions, escrow coordination, and closing through delivery and acceptance.
• Registration and citizenship: FAA Civil Aviation Registry filings, owner-trust structures to satisfy citizenship rules for non-U.S. persons, N-number reservation and transfer, and deregistration/export at sale.
• International and offshore registries: coordination with jurisdictions such as Aruba, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man, Malta, and San Marino; local agent/trust arrangements; and airworthiness and operating approvals aligned with intended use.
• Title and liens: FAA title searches, lien clearances, bills of sale and security agreements, and Cape Town Convention/International Registry filings (including IDERA) to protect interests and simplify repossession and export if needed.
• Financing and leasing: loan and lease documentation, perfection of security interests, intercreditor issues, insurance and loss-payee provisions, and covenant packages aligned with operations.
• Operations and compliance: Part 91 vs. Part 135 use, management and hangar agreements, time-sharing and interchange, MEL/maintenance program assignments, and record-keeping that supports airworthiness and resale.
• Ownership entities: selection and formation of the appropriate company to hold title, addressing liability, operational control, and tax coordination with your advisors.
U.S. operations with strategic benefits:
Once the required steps are in place (FAA filings for U.S. registrations or proper international registry and customs treatment for foreign registrations), owners can use their aircraft in the United States subject to applicable restrictions while keeping the advantages that motivated the chosen registry, including potential tax efficiency, enhanced privacy, and operational flexibility.
Introductions:
When helpful, we connect clients with reputable brokers, lenders, management companies, and technical advisors to complement the legal work.
Yachts
We help owners, family offices, and brokers buy, sell, finance, register, and operate luxury yachts and tenders—coordinating legal, title, tax, and regulatory details in the U.S. and leading offshore registries. For many U.S. owners, foreign registration paired with a U.S. cruising permit can provide operational flexibility and enhanced privacy and, depending on usage and structuring, may defer or reduce certain import duties while maintaining access to U.S. waters.
How we help:
• Transactions: negotiate letters of intent and MOA forms, coordinate surveys and sea trials, manage escrow, closing checklists, delivery and acceptance.
• Registration and flag: advise on U.S. documentation and state titling, or select and obtain foreign flags; handle eligibility, name reservation, tonnage/class requirements, carving and marking, and deletion/re-registration at sale.
• Ownership entities: form and structure the appropriate company to hold title, address liability and operational control, and align with charter or private-use plans.
• Taxes and customs: plan importation strategies, sales/use tax analysis, duty treatment, temporary admission and cruising permits, and customs clearance at closing.
• Title and liens: run abstracts of title, clear maritime liens, prepare and record bills of sale and preferred ship mortgages, and handle related security interests.
• Financing and insurance: document loans and mortgages, coordinate insurer requirements and loss-payee clauses, and align covenant packages with intended operations.
• Crew and operations: crew employment agreements and compliance, management agreements, charter party terms, safety and manning standards, and record-keeping to support resale and insurance.
• Cross-border and offshore work: coordinate with registries such as Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Malta, Marshall Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and United States; arrange local agents and closing logistics.
U.S. operations with strategic benefits:
Once the required steps are in place (for example, a cruising permit for foreign-flag vessels or proper U.S. documentation and state compliance), owners can use their yachts in American waters subject to applicable restrictions while retaining the advantages that motivated the chosen registry—potential tax efficiency, privacy, and operational flexibility.
Introductions:
When helpful, we connect clients with reputable brokers, lenders, managers, maritime agents, and surveyors to complement the legal work.
Commercial Real Estate
- Represented a real estate developer in preparing, filing and recording all condo documentation and in the development of a 91 unit condominium.
- Represented a real estate developer in the development of a 56 unit multi-building residential real estate project.
- Represented a real estate developer in the reorganization and sale of a $17 million residential real estate project.
Residential Real Estate
- Represented hundreds of homeowners in the sale and purchase of their homes.
Real Estate
Novela Law routinely represents buyers, sellers, and lending institutions with regard to commercial real estate transactions. Transactions involving the development of condominiums (including all condominium documents and state approvals), condo conversions, office buildings, shopping centers, and warehouses are all a part of the firm’s real estate practice. Novela Law also has extensive experience counseling foreign real estate investors and investors using 1031 exchanges and 1031 reverse exchanges.
Novela Law handles numerous residential real estate closings on an annual basis. These transactions typically require us to coordinate with a title insurance company the preparation of all closing documents, including contracts for sale and purchase, warranty deeds, condo approvals, insurance, surveys, loan payoffs, permit searches, any tax inquiries, and all necessary inspections as needed. Novela Law also has experience in dealing with 1031 exchanges and foreclosure sales.
Novela Law is affiliated with Lotus Title, which provides real estate title and closing agent services to certain clients of Novela Law. Lotus Title is an authorized title insurance agent for The Fund. The Fund is backed by the strength of Old Republic Title, one of the nation’s largest title insurance companies. Engaging an attorney-operated title insurance company to handle real estate closing transactions is often in a client’s best interest because only an attorney can effectively advise a party on matters relating to title and answer legal questions that can arise during a real estate closing. Additionally, if a legal problem with the title or the closing arises, we, your attorney, can take immediate action.
Bio
Daniel Novela has over 25 years of legal experience in Corporate M&A, Securities law, and Significant Art law. He is also the founder of Alevon, the first online marketplace exclusively dedicated to renting fine art valued over $100,000. This innovative platform aims to transform the art world by making significant artworks more accessible while providing new opportunities for art owners and enthusiasts alike.
Novela also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law.
Prior to establishing his own law firm, Novela practiced at some of the nation’s premier law firms, including Milbank and Steel, Hector & Davis (now part of Squire Patton Boggs). His expertise has been recognized in numerous publications, including American Lawyer and Daily Business Review.
Born in South Florida, Novela earned a law degree with honors from Tulane University. He studied business at the University of Missouri–Columbia and a university in Florence, Italy, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Florida International University.
Novela has served and spoken internationally for the Beacon Council, a government agency tasked with assisting domestic and international businesses in relocating to Miami. As a Cuban-American lawyer, Novela is fluent in Spanish and regularly works with clients in Latin America and other cross-border transactions.
A passionate advocate for the arts, Novela has played significant roles in Miami’s cultural community. He has co-chaired the annual gala and corporate luncheon for the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and was appointed by the Mayor of Miami Beach to the Cultural Arts Council’s board.
Beyond his legal and artistic pursuits, Novela is an avid watch enthusiast. He founded the NovelaWatch Collectors Club, Miami’s premier watch collectors group, and is recognized as an expert on contemporary and vintage timepieces. He also enjoys sailing, gardening, history, and restoring vintage cars.
Learn more about how you can be a part of his innovative work at Alevon.
Community
1Novela has also been a strong supporter of the arts in Miami, including serving in prominent positions at the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council and the Perez Art Museum Miami (see Novela bio for more information.) Novela has been recognized for his arts-related philanthropic activities and his collection of contemporary art in various publications, including Haute Living Magazine, Miami Magazine, Plum Magazine, and Social MIAMI. Novela is also the founder of Novela Watch Collectors Club, Miami’s premier watch club, a watch writer for various watch magazines, and an expert on vintage and contemporary watches.
We understand the needs of high-net-worth clients because we have over twenty years of experience representing their legal needs and understand their needs from a community perspective. We look forward to introducing our clients to the lifestyle experiences available in Miami and inviting them to join us at many fine arts and watch events we organize, sponsor and attend.
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Contact us
1688 Meridian Avenue
Suite 900
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305.371.6711
